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No contest plea entered in domestic battery case
A local woman pled no contest on Friday in Bourbon County District Court to a charge of aiding and abetting aggravated battery that stemmed from an incident that took place last fall.
Laura Thornton, incarcerated on charges related to an incident that occurred Sept. 15, 2008, in Bronson, was sentenced to three years probation by Judge Mark Ward. The incident involved Thornton and her father, Fred Thornton, who both allegedly participated in an assault on a woman in a case of domestic violence. In November 2008, both Thorntons pled not guilty during separate arraignments.
On Friday, Laura Thornton was not sentenced on the original counts of aiding and abetting attempted murder in the first degree, aiding and abetting aggravated battery, and domestic battery. The charge was amended to only aiding and abetting aggravated battery, a severity level five person felony, according to Bourbon County District Court documents.
Ward's original sentence for Thornton was a 32-month incarceration, which was suspended, and Thornton received a 36-month probation sentence for the crime, documents said.
Thornton was also ordered to not have any contact with the victim or victim's family. If she violates that order, the judge's original jail sentence will be handed down.
The conditions of Thornton's probation state that during her probation period, she may not possess or consume alcohol or illegal drugs; she must submit to random breath, blood and urine tests; she must gain and maintain employment; and she must notify the court services officer of any changes in employment, residence or telephone number, according to court documents.
According to the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, on Sept. 15, 2008, officers were dispatched to a residence at 403 Wright St., on a domestic violence-related call. Preliminary investigations that night resulted in Fred Thornton's arrest on multiple charges which included attempted murder in the first degree, aggravated battery, violation of a court order, and criminal trespass.
On Oct. 21, Laura Thornton was arrested in connection with the same case. Laura was arrested for her involvement in the assualt on alleged victim Carol Keele, who was severely beaten and injured during the incident, according to information obtained during the investigation of the case.
Keele was transported to Mercy Health Center and later to the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., to be treated for injuries.
Pre-trial motions for Fred Thornton are set to take place July 23, with a jury trial scheduled for Sept. 22-25.